There are many, many promises of God in Scripture. In each promise, God pledges that something will (or will not) be done or given or come to pass. These are not flippant, casual promises such as we often make; these promises of God are rock-solid, unequivocal commitments made by God Himself. Because God is faithful, the recipients of the divine promises can have full assurance that what God has pledged will indeed be realized (Numbers 23:19).
2 Peter 1:4a: “…he has granted to us his precious and very great promises….”
Peter says that God’s promises are “very great and precious”. Why?
They are precious because it is God who makes them. The source of any promise is very important, but when God makes a promise we can be absolutely sure He will honor His word. We may make a promise to our friends and have every intention of keeping it, yet we may be prevented through no fault of our own. But there are no conceivable circumstances which can prevent God from honoring His word of promise. Look up Numbers 23:19, and compare 1 Kings 8:56, Luke 21:33, Matthew 5:18. When God makes a promise it is based upon His sovereignty, His righteousness, His holiness, His justice and His mercy – all of which are involved in His pledged word. When he lay dying, General Booth turned to his son, Bramwell, and three times repeated the words, “The promises of God are sure” – and so they are!
Peter is writing to those who have received faith in the Savior (2 Peter 1:1). In v. 3, Peter refers to them as being “called” by God. The promises of God’s Word benefit believers in Jesus Christ.
The promises God has made to His children are “great” or, as some translations say, “magnificent.” Not only that, but they are “very” great. And they are “precious”; that is, God’s promises are of inexpressible value. What God has promised is exceedingly magnificent and of the utmost worth.
Peter makes this point in his statement. He describes God’s promises as “very great”, and this surely is a reason why they are so precious. We measure the size of a promise by the benefit it gives us. When we consider the content of God’s promises and the great blessing they offer, then at once we see how very great they are. For example:
(A) He not only provides for our redemption but for our everlasting redemption (Hebrews 9:12).
(B) He not only gives us life but the promise of life to the full (John 10:10).
(C) He not only gives us His joy but joy that is complete (1 Peter 1:8; John 15:11).
(D) He not only gives us peace but the promise of perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:7).
(E) He not only promises His forgiveness but He will remember our sins no more (Jeremiah 31:34).
(F) He not only guarantees heaven but He promises heaven with Him (John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:17).
(G) He not only offers us His grace but He promises that it will be sufficient for every need (2 Corinthians 12:9).
So what are some of the promises to which Peter refers? All of God’s promises are wonderful, but we will look at some of the promises related to Peter’s next words, promises concerning the believer’s forgiveness, eternal life, and participation in the divine nature (Psalm 23:6; Isaiah 1:18; Ezekiel 36:26; Acts 10:43; John 14:3).
Whatever your need may be God has a promise that exactly covers that need (Philippians 4:19) and notice that He promises to supply your need “according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” What is your need? Is it food? (see Psalm 34:10). Is it clothing? (see Matthew 6:25, 30-32). Is it guidance you need? (see Psalm 73:24; Isaiah 30:21). Do you lack wisdom? (see Proverbs 16:3; James 1:5). Do you need rest? (see Matthew 11:28; John 6:37). Is it forgiveness you need? (see Isaiah 55:7; Acts 13:38). Do you need salvation? (see Romans 10:8-9, 13). Do you long for a sense of security? (see John 10:27-29). Are you troubled about old age? (see Isaiah 46:4). Are you fearful and unable to sleep? (see Proverbs 3:24; Isaiah 43:1-3). Do you need deliverance from trouble? (see Psalms 50:15; 55:22).
The promises of God are precious because they are clear.
(A) They are easy to find because they are confirmed everywhere: physical & spiritual.
(B) They are easy to understand. A child can understand them (Isaiah 35:8).
(C) They are easy to claim. Many of God’s promises are conditional: He promises to do something if we will do something: John 6:37; Romans 8:28.
(D) They are easy to prove. A dear old saint used to put ‘T’ and ‘P’ in the margin of her Bible against the promises of God, which meant she had tried them and proved them! (Malachi 3:10)
They are easy to learn and remember. Start learning them now, one weekly or daily, doing what David did in Psalm 119:11.
It is through the promises of God that we “participate in the divine nature”—we undergo a radical spiritual transformation and are made new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Having a new nature, we are no longer bound by the old sinful nature and are free from “the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire” (2 Peter 1:4). The promises of God have a sanctifying effect on us. With the Word of God in our hands and the Spirit of God in our hearts, we now have “everything we need for a godly life” (v. 3).
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:20). In other words, the promises are given to us, are ours to claim and are fulfilled in our experience only as we know and walk with Christ as our Savior and Lord.
Conclusion: Am I trusting in the promises of God?
